Shingle gauge and clamp



Patented Oct. 13, 1925.

UNITED STATES JOE N A. TOPPING, OF NYACK, NEW YORK.

SHINGLE GAUGE AND CLAMP.

Application filed September 24, 1923. Serial No. 664,420.

To all whom it may camera:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. TorPINc, a citizenof the. United States, residing at Nyack, in the county of Rockland and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shingle Gauges and Clamps, 9f which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shingle gauges and clamps by which the extent of overlap of the courses is gauged by positioning the clamp upon the subjacent course and by which the butt ends of the shingles of the superposed course are clamped to the roof.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a device in which is combined a clamping means with a gauge to visibly indicatethe proper location of the clamping means.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which is adaptable for shingles having a pointed butt; and a truncated or rectangular butt. j

- A further object is to provide a device of this character which is unobtrusive when in place on the roof.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which may advantageously be used for asphalt shingles, asbestos, slates or metal shingles.

It is customary, in laying a roofof shingles, to stretch a line over the deck as a guide for laying the courses. The objection to this procedure is that the line sags and 1s easily displaced.

In the use of my, device theextent of lap of each individual shingle is determined by the gauge appearing on the shank ofthe clamping device and the lower end contains means for securing the lower butt end of the shingle in place.

Other objects and advantages will readily appear from a consideration of the following descri tion when taken in conjunction .with the rawing forming a part hereof,

whereinz-.-

Fig. l-shows a part of a roof composed of rectangular shingles withlower end trunacters are employed to indicate similar parts.

The gauging member is shown to consist of a strip of metal providing a shank v5 and an integral clamping member 6. The shank is graduated by marks 7 indicating linear dimensions with a corresponding notation 8 and preferably a coordinate perforation 9 to receive a nail. At the lower end of the shank there is an outwardly extending part 11 bent at 12,.to be further bent to overlie the butt end of a shingle.

The shingles 13 as shown are generally rectangular in outline with their lower points out off. Instead ofcutting the points off a slot may be made thru the shingles at the places where the lower edge would be when the points are cut oil and the clamp end slipped thru the slot.

The shingles of a sub'acent course are laid with their lateral points preferably in substantial contact. The extent of the lap of the superposed course over the upper edges of the sub-course, shown at 14, is determined by the'gauging device.

Should it be desired that this lap shall be two inches, the hole 9 opposite 2 on the gauge is placed at the junction of-the lateral points of two adjacentsshingles, or at a previously prepared indication on the shing e, and a nail is then driven thru any one of the holes 9. A shingle of the next course is then placed above or over the auging clamp until its lower straight e ge is at the bend 12, whereupon the member 6 is turned over said edge and it is then struck a slight blow with a hammer., This clamps the butt end of the shingle in place so that the wind cannot raise it and the gauge determines its exact location.

The end 6 is primarily bent outwardly, so that it may be easily grasped to bend it over the edge of the shingle, when further bending is desired.

A rectangular perforation 15 is made in the clamping member 6, when desired, to receive the pointed butt of a shingle, when pointed shingles are used, as shown in Fig. 4, after which the end 6 may be forced down with a hammer.

The device may be used with equal advantages for gauging position for and retaining slate, metal or other shingles in place.

The end 6 of the clamp may or may not be bent over into further contact with a the location of the strip slate or other shingle after inserting the point in the opening 15, or it may be further bent in either direction.

If desired two or more nails may be driven thru as many holes 9. This will hold the strip rigid and prevent any lateral displacement or movement.

By having each clamping device provided with the indications on its shank, the shingles may be quickly and uniformly laid.

The shank need not necessarily be initially perforated as its location may be found by the lines 7, and nails may be driven thru 7 the sheet of metal at any location above the clamping or holding member.

The lines-7 need'not necessarily be present if the holes 9 are equally spaced. Instead of lines 7 and holes 9 notches 16 may be substituted. Any convenient means on the shingle or on the clamp for indicating for uniformity of lacement will come within the spirit and intent of the invention.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A device for gaugin the extent of lap of the shingles of a roof and for permanently holding the butt ends of the shingles in place, comprising a. relatively long narrow flat strip having indicia of linear dimensions extending from near one end towards the other end, and having a rectangular aperture in one end adapted to receive the point of a shingle, said apertured end initially bent on a curve to define the clamping bend to be subsequently made when applied, and to place the perforate end in a lane angularly related to the body part 0 the device whereby the point of the shingle may be entered in sald aperture before the final bend.

In testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my name.

JOHN A. TOPPING. 

